Blockchain-based traceability in the food industry: requirements analysis along the food supply chain

Martina Thume, Julia Lange, Martin Unkel, Alexander Prange and Maik Schürmeyer
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Martina Thume: Hochschule Niederrhein, University of Applied Science
Martin Unkel: Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT

No uyb64, OSF Preprints from Center for Open Science

Abstract: Traceability has become an important aspect in supply chain management, particularly in safety-sensitive industries like food or pharmaceuticals. At the same time, blockchain arose as an innovative technology that has created excitement about its potential applications. Aim of this research paper is to analyze the requirements of the main stakeholders along the supply chain regarding a blockchain-based traceability system. The supply chain is considered from agriculture to retail. The main result of this work is a specification framework, which consist of a supply chain process model describing activities relevant for food traceability, a collection of usage requirements formulated as data classes, a summary of technical requirements regarding data access, storage and processing, and interoperability requirements necessary to assure digital communication and permanent operability of the BBTS. Based on this, general application guidelines for digital information systems are derived and the blockchain technology is evaluated with regard to its potential in meeting requirements and challenges. A distinction between public and sensitive data appears to be necessary to assure traceability and trust in the supply chain. A two-part architecture involving a public permissioned blockchain network is proposed as the most promising basis for a digital traceability system in the food industry.

Date: 2021-03-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-pay
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:osf:osfxxx:uyb64

DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/uyb64

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